Pig’s Feet

Pig’s Feet – Moist, succulent, and packed with flavor! Slow-cooked over low heat makes for an unbelievably tender, juicy, and perfectly flavorful meal. This is soul food at its best!

When I growing up, we served pig’s feet on special occasions, like Christmas or New Year’s. I have many fond memories of family and friends gathered around the table, talking, laughing, and enjoying an exquisite meal!

But they have gone from being a delicacy to what is now a weekly staple in my home. It’s one of the tastiest pork cuts you can buy! And they’re affordable and versatile – everything I look for in a weekday meal! I think you’ll find this recipe is one of the easiest and the most flavorful ways to cook pig’s feet!

Frequently Asked Questions

Nose-to-tail eating has gained popularity in recent years. Meat cuts like pig’s feet are a great way to reduce waste and your environmental footprint. They also have several health benefits since they are packed with collagen. Added to that is their exceptional versatility; they can be braised, boiled, barbecued, smoked, or stewed!

Recipe Ingredients

• Pig’s Feet: YoYou’lleed to clean the star of this show thoroughly and remove the hair before cooking.
• Onion and Garlic: Not only do these incredible veggies make food taste incredible, but this dynamic duo also gives the body energy and helps prevent seasonal colds and flu.
• Green and Red Bell Peppers: Each type of pepper adds a different flavor layer to the dish. Green peppers tend to be more bitter, whereas red peppers are sweeter.
• Celery: While not always the main star of the dish, celery adds a unique and tasty flavor.
• White Wine Vinegar: Although milder than other types of vinegar, white wine vinegar brightens up the flavors and adds an agreeable tang.
• Seasonings: This recipe is chock-full of flavor! The seasonings include thyme, bay leaves, bouillon powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes! Smoked paprika works equally well, and the red pepper flakes are optional. I love to include them to give this dish an extra flavor boost.

How to Make Pig’s feet

Prepare the Pig’s Feet

1. Wash the pig’s feet in salt water, then scrub and rinse properly to ensure they are extra clean.
2. Sauté the Vegetables – Place a medium-size pot over medium heat. Add in cooking oil, onion, garlic, and thyme and sauté for about 2-3 minutes. Then add bell peppers and celery and sauté for another minute. (Photos 1-2)
3. The Rest of the Ingredients – Add pig’s feet, bay leaves, bouillon, paprika, white wine vinegar, and about 3 cups of water. Give everything a nice stir, and then season with salt and pepper to taste. (Photo 3)
4. Simmer – Cover pot and place pot over medium-high heat. Cook for about 2-3 hours, stirring periodically until pig’s feet are tender. (Photo 4)
5. Check Occasionally – While cooking – Keep checking the pot to make sure water has not boiled off, and if it has, add more water.

Recipe Variations

• Not everyone keeps vinegar in their pantries. In a pinch, you could even use lemon juice. Just remember, the dish will take on a more citrusy flavor, and lemon juice provides less of a punch than white wine vinegar. Be sure to taste the dish as you add the lemon juice to balance the flavors correctly. You may have to use equal parts lemon juice and water to get the right flavor.
• If you decide to tone down the dish and leave out the red pepper flakes, you can serve a little more vinegar or hot sauce on the side for the spice lovers at the table!

Tips and Tricks

1. To thoroughly clean the pig’s feet, pour hot (not boiling!) water over them. Scrub them with a good amount of salt (approximately three tablespoons) and then rinse them under running water.
2. The water that the recipe calls for may not cover the ingredients completely. But don’t worry; the pig’s feet will release a lot of juice while cooking.
3. Patience is a virtue! This cut needs long, slow cooking. But in the end, believe me, it will be worth the wait!

Make-Ahead Instructions

One of the most essential steps in this dish is prepping. You’ll need time to make sure they are thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed with salt. To remove any stray hairs on the skin, try singing the meat briefly over an open flame and then wash the meat well.

To make the taste even milder, you can add an extra step and soak the pig’s feet in milk or a light vinegar mixture before beginning the prep work.

Serving and Storage Instructions

This dish is best when piping hot from the cooking pot! Serve it over rice and spoon the flavorful juices over the top. Or pair it with some cornbread to soak up the juices.

Reheating this dish is no problem! It easily keeps in the fridge for five days. Just remember the gelatin will solidify in the cold fridge. But it melts quickly in your microwave or pot upon reheating.

And go ahead and freeze them cooked in a freezer-friendly bag or container.

What Goes with Pig’s Feet

One of my favorite meals is pig’s feet served with collard greens and candied yams. It’s, without a doubt, the perfect soul food meal! Add some cornbread and beans on the side as an extra treat for guests!

More Incredible Pork Recipes to Try

Looking to experiment with more pork dishes? I recommend…

• Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
• Easy Smothered Pork Chops
• Southern Soul-Food Chili
• Smoked Pork Belly

Conclusion

Whether you serve it on a special occasion or use it as a weekday meal, pig’s feet are essential on your list of soul foods! If it’s the first time you’re experimenting with pig’s feet, leave me a comment about what you think!